Why Do Our Pinterest Marketing Efforts (promoter 2 prog.) result in 65 products via other Designers?

[CreativeLeahG]

Some time ago, I noticed that several of my Pins (not all) shared via the Promoter 2 Program, which enables me to earn a 35% affiliate fee if my item sells, do not direct customers to my product page as intended through the link I've shared. Instead, they lead to a landing page featuring my product (albeit with key details missing) along with no less than 65 products by other designers.

Example Pin: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/123215739803223742/

This offers customers numerous alternative choices to consider, in contrast to the 5+ chances they have when viewing the other designers' carousel on our product pages.

This redirection has been deeply frustrating, as it hinders the effectiveness of our marketing efforts in promoting our products. When customers end up purchasing something else, we miss out on the benefits we intended to gain from the Promoter 2 program.

To provide some context, I send approximately 20,000 customer referrals to Zazzle each month,

Total linkovers 1,360,194

which is no small effort. I've also observed that my self-referrals have dwindled from around 5+ per day to approximately 2-3 every other day.

This leads me to wonder if the redirection issue is a contributing factor, with the 65 alternative choices possibly diverting customers away from the products I've worked hard to promote and refer.

As a result, I find myself facing a dilemma. Should I consider removing all my Promoter 2 pins to prevent potential sales from being directed to other designers? Denting significantly the number of customers I send to Zazzle (linkover history). It's disheartening to put in considerable effort to showcase 65 other products without reaping any rewards in return.

Could you please shed light on whether this redirection issue is an aspect of Zazzle's or Pinterest's policy, and if it's the latter, how we might engage with Pinterest to rectify the matter? The fact that the Pins do not direct customers to the intended pages raises concerns, potentially running counter to Pinterest's terms.

Thank you for your time and consideration as I consider leaving the Promoter 2 program due to this development.

[CreativeLeahG]

I will also be deleting my product links if it isn't changed ( if it is Zazzle doing this) because this isn't what I expected would happen when I joined the Promoter 2 program. if I can't earn any kind of referral there's no point me sending 20k customers to Zazzle each month.

[sm]

Are you humouring them? How can it not be Zazzle doing it when it's happening from different sources? It's such a big disappointment, even without the new promoter program. 

We can't be found easily in the MP and to be seen, all designers had were their promotional links to their products. Now that is gone as well. If we link to our collections, will they do the same thing at some point and show everyone elses collections with ours? At this point, I'm almost expecting them to do just that. I just imagine the Zazzle gods, sitting on a round table scheming of ways they can legally pee us off. They've done pretty well doing that over the years. They have gone above and beyond and are overachievers when it comes to screwing their designers lol. 

What is it with POD and microstock companies? They all have humble beginnings and turn into monsters. If I were to ever set up either one, I would run it as a co-op giving any designer 10% royalty for a sale and then share any profits amongst them. 

All I want to hear from Zazzle is that they made a bad decision and they'll reverse it. Either that or to tell us some bug is doing it. I won't believe it wasn't intentional but I will humour them too lol.

[CreativeLeahG]

I posted about Zazzle own collections a while back. Not sure if this store is one of Zazzle's own or not, The store is now 'empty' but the collections still exist, but are invisible in the store. https://community.zazzle.com/t5/general-zazzle-discussion/zazzle-s-own-collections-are-these-a-good-...  I don't know what this means?  Also we do have curated collections currently showing up instead of our own collections on our product pages. But Zazzle are looking into this and hopefully will address it.

Older post extract:

Re the collections page 

I noticed Zazzle has recently added some of their own collections already ranking high in the collections pages (see photo mugs)

Are the collection themes Zazzle is currently in the process of curating the ones we should be aspiring to create?

A few samples:

• https://www.zazzle.com/collections/photo_mugs-119133388115962469
• https://www.zazzle.com/collections/health_fitness-119214133109965556
• https://www.zazzle.com/collections/hosting_a_party-119709326452350596
• https://www.zazzle.com/collections/kids_birthday_party_supplies-119862037972752777

[sm]

Yeah, they removed them from the store but the collections are still under the Zazzle member profile. If it wasn't a Zazzle account, surely they would have removed any 'fraudulent' account by now. 

"Also we do have curated collections currently showing up instead of our own collections on our product pages. But Zazzle are looking into this and hopefully will address it."

Jesus! I am glad I haven't seen that. Every day I wake up thinking I will do some Zazzle but more of this sort of rubbish makes me hesitate. It's a good thing as I have a boatload of better things to do. I hate having my time wasted and Zazzle is intent on doing just that with practically everything. I am under $100 away from reaching gold and it's such a 'woopedidoo' kind of feeling lol. I've been around long enough to have seen all the shenanigans. They don't upset me even a little bit. I can always count on Zazzle to pull a 'Zazzle'. Someone posted that they can't take this company seriously. I haven't taken Zazzle seriously for more than a decade lol. If I did, they'd break my spirit.

[CreativeLeahG]

Ah, I hadn't even noticed the profile side of things. Well spotted.

Do not devalue that GOLD!! It is still a badge of honor for all your hard work and yes it is a moment to celebrate and shout about 🙂 Well done!!!!

[sm]

In light of everything, it means FA. Bronze was exciting. Silver was 'meh', Gold is 'woopedidoo'. $100,000 over 13 years is embarrassing. That's well below the poverty line. That's a year's worth of income for almost anything. It isn't a badge I'd wear proudly. I don't even tell anyone that I Zazzle lol. It's just a little side hobby that I would do, with or without Zazzle.

[SkullPilot]

Don't worry - you're fine! I need to give myself a shake, though, just closing in on Bronze after 15 years. I did get a nice $0.06 postcard sale today though. Yay.

To be fair, though, I've been working pretty hard on it this year. I've always been a bit flaky about it, sometimes disappearing completely for a year at a time to do other stuff!

[Kristine]

Do not be discouraged.... I know how it feels when you do your best and the rewards are not fair. I have been sharing around 10,000 products to Pinterest and I am still waiting for my self referrals without compromising my emotions. Pinterest has a similar policy changing algorithms to their advantage. This is global! Well, my advice would be "do not put all your eggs in just one nest". And enjoy life because the best things in life are free.... a good song, nature, pets, a sunny day, friends and good moments. Good luck!

[CreativeLeahG]

I'm not certain the redirects are Zazzle orchestrated or what the reasoning would be bearing in mind they are counter to the affiliate programs, but I do need to know so I can amend my referral strategy. I don't believe Zazzle would intentionally be trying to curb our affiliate efforts as that would just result in less referral activity. I for one definitely want to continue referring, I just need to work out the best strategy in light of this 'page' as I feel it has dented my effectiveness as an affiliate. Any light Zazzle can shed is much appreciated in order we all progress.

[Scott]

This sounds a lot like an email that you recently sent to us. I understand that you're hoping for a quick response, but there's a few people on vacation at the moment so it may take a bit of time to respond.

[CreativeLeahG]

Yes I'm hoping to get some idea what my 0% referrals are ( I can't check via app as I don't have an iPhone) so I can make some decisions re the promoter program but also it would be useful to know what this page is and is it a Zazzle redirect? It appears to be random whether my links land on it. Which adds to the confusion regarding what to do re making changes to how I refer things. Any feedback re this would be most helpful, thank you.

[CreativeLeahG]

I asked AI ( Bard/google) about the paramenter code added to our Pinterest links (ie:

"What is this that I see added to my pinterest links: epik=dj0yJnU9dW0zamdDRXlTc2ZmNVVXbGc1ODBURjJVbzdpbmhOSDYmcD0wJm49anBLcUJhT3FRaFI3UmcwNUdoWXFaUSZ0PUFBQUFBR1VwbDZN

And this was the reply which I don't fully understand:

"

The additional parameters you see added to your Pinterest links are a tracking code used by the Pinterest affiliate program. This code allows Pinterest to track which links are generating clicks and conversions, and to compensate affiliates accordingly.

The specific parameters in the code you provided are as follows:

• epik=dj0yJnU9dW0zamdDRXlTc2ZmNVVXbGc1ODBURjJVbzdpbmhOSDYmcD0wJm49anBLcUJhT3FRaFI3UmcwNUdoWXFaUSZ0PUFBQUFBR1VwbDZN: This is the tracking code itself. It is unique to each affiliate and is used to identify them to Pinterest.
• epign=pinterest: This parameter specifies that the tracking code is being used for the Pinterest affiliate program.
• epigv=1: This parameter specifies the version of the tracking code.

When a user clicks on a Pinterest link with this tracking code, Pinterest will store the affiliate's ID in the user's browser cookies. If the user then goes on to make a purchase on Pinterest, the affiliate will receive a commission on the sale.

It is important to note that the use of tracking codes is not required to participate in the Pinterest affiliate program. However, it is a recommended practice as it allows Pinterest to track your results and compensate you accordingly.

I'm very confused, I'm not aware of being in any Pinterest affiliate program?

Anyway, the paramenters are Pinterest related .... 

[sm]

I'm pretty certain that those codes don't have anything to do with the landing page as I have never seen the code and I get the landing page almost every time I click a Zazzle link from an outside source, even from this forum. I haven't seen it if I click a Z link from DuckDuckGo, but I do from Google. 

The other concerning issue about that landing page is that we probably don't even get a 'view' from it. So if someone gets to a landing page and clicks someone else's product, even if they don't buy it, that extra view pushes their product to rank better in the search, while pushing your own to slip away further. So if you can't even get a view from a promotional click, what is the point of bothering?

I just did a little test to confirm whether we get a view. I'll know in a couple of days.

[LauraLee]

Something I'm still wrestling with in my mind regarding Pinterest pins, Zazzle, and these new cover images is that in the past we knew Zazzle had this "take over" thing of the pin button styled pinning.  For instance, pinning from Zazzle's link to Pinterest was broken, when 1) Zazzle's product description appeared soon after pinning, and 2) it had to go to a saved board if you were not creating your own pins.  And throughout that mindset, it was clear to me that we had to create our own pins in order to fix both problems.
For me, this later developed into pins that were better adapted towards pins that pointed to collections.  Because it resolves any problems with a landing page whatsoever, and all products were supposedly mine, unless I incorporated others for affiliation purposes.  Clearly I've been following this line for awhile, and have seen the various results, and these are my results:
1) My created pins to a collection, worked good, no landing page trouble.
2) Pins I created that go back to my website; to redirect to my product, worked good, no new landing page issues.
3) Pins that I pinned from Zazzle to Pinterest, A) Still get taken over and B) Get the dreaded results of designer competition.

So, this narrows it down to another question that I'd been pondering, why has it become "harder" to get the results since if we ARE making our own cover images.  Thereby looking different than Zazzle's generic similar product pins and everything looking alike, which to me, was part of what caused these 'take overs' to begin with...Why hasn't it resolved that?  Why make the load heavier on designers, like you say?  ...Perhaps they're expecting us to realize this, question it, and are getting ready to resolve the problem of pin takeover??  I'd love to think so!  

[CreativeLeahG]

Interesting Lauralee , I've been doing experiments myself re this and will also only pin collections hence forth. I just hope we don't start seeing 'collection' holding pages.

[xzendor7]

What I would suggest to anyone using Pinterest or other social networks in their artistic marketing efforts is to send potential customers directly to your own web property; and then from there direct them to the Print On Demand platform. 

When you are sending people directly to your shop you are wasting your marketing efforts in most cases; as an individual is able to easily navigate away from shop; to some other shop; and in essence you are providing free marketing for the platform.  This is especially true if you do any form of paid advertising.

Having a website allows you to capture emails; interact with your visitors, post videos on how you do what you do, create suggest post or videos on the best ways they can use the products you offer, or modify them for their needs; as well as provide different offers, and send potential buyers to the different POD platforms you may be on.

Another thing should do, is use your referral code on each link that you create so that you will be credited for the traffic you are sending to Zazzle; as you are essentially your own affiliate.

Also note the way Pinterest handles links that go to major platforms like Zazzle, RedBubble, FAA...

If you share you're link from the POD platform using their share button, it is not the same as you creating a pin, uploading the image from your desktop or image url, and entering the description, alt info, link url etc.

The same thing applies if you create a pin and you use the SAVE FROM SITE option on the bottom of the image/video section.

Sharing a link (using these automated tool[buttons]) ties the link directly to Zazzle; also you will not be able to modify post details later.

When you create the pin manually, that is your pin and the problems you are encountering should not be an issue.

Since I'm not aware of having had to deal with this problem myself, these are suggestions that may help based on what I've learned experimenting with the various options, as well as advertising on Pinterest.

Website: https://xzendor7.com

[sm]

After doing my little test, it seems our products do get a view counted from just the landing page.

[Fiorenzo]

Just found out by accident and investigating myself. My results until now:

• It happens to all direct links to product pages, also if you copy-and-paste them.
• To make this happen, I needed to be logged out and had to delete the cookies first. Otherwise, it redirects directly to the product page, no matter if you are logged in or out. The moment I clicked on a link on this pre-page that led to the regular product page, every other product link led to the regular product page on that browser, even if you close and reopen the browser. So it seems to be cookie-driven. Used Chrome as regular working browser, Edge to test public views without cookie-deletion, and FF to test behavior with cookies deleted beforehand.
• Links to collections (copy-and-pasted in the address bar) seems to work normal and clicks on products lead to the regular product page. No matter if logged in or out and if you clean cookies or not.
• Links to store categories (and subsequent clicks on products) work properly, too, as collection links

Next step is to find out how API links to product pages work.

Definitely an extremely annoying change for self-promoters and not how product links work as default in e-commerce. And also annoying for customers.

One more flaw I noticed is that on cards with either required minimum quantities or default bulk quantities, the prices are extremely confusing since they show the bulk price and also the single-card price but have NO quantity field nor info displayed.

Surely a big mess and a big hit for self-promoters. Don't know if this is aimed at "saving" referral shares or just one of the many strange ideas that come from Z from time to time. Sure is, I will find a way around it after a deeper check. I've already decided to always link to my own website first when promoting. On a dedicated product page with all relevant info and also a Zazzle local-domain choice where to lead them to avoid the loss of affiliate shares.

[sm]

From the Pinterest app on my phone, no matter how many times I click on Zazzle products, I always get the landing page.

I see what you mean about the pricing on cards. Yeah, that's confusing for customers.

[Fiorenzo]

Not on Pinterest yet and no smartphone here (one of these grumpy methuselahs only using an old Nokia for emergencies outdoors - I HATE being stalked everywhere, and I do NOT run in panic when the phone rings, nor do I chitchat with people while sitting on the toilet). I already have my Pinterest strategy ready, I will use only own pins and always redirect to my website's product page where I do the rest. Big big big mess for self-promoters who aren't artists with a dedicated, loyal follower base and a unique portfolio. For these, I guess it will be wiser in the future to stick to the good old regular affiliate-method.

[sm]

Good strategy. Sadly I no longer have my websites for Zazzle. Maybe some day but it's hard to justify it in the current predicament.

Oh I use my phone for just about everything but I never answer it when it rings. Too many unsolicited calls. But all my social media accounts, about 6 piano apps, star gazing apps, music, notes, about 8 weather and emergency related apps, alarms, health related and workout apps.. and much more. People actually chit chat on the toilet? How hygeinic lol. Yuck.

[Fiorenzo]

Yep, people have replaced their newspapers and magazines with smartphones when sitting on the bowl. My sister is one of these. Yup, I don't take calls if I don't know the number, and my old cellphone is off when not in use/not needed. The unsolicited calls have dropped significantly since I used these tactics. When out I don't need nor want to be connected, and at home, I have my PC and widescreen, I get claustrophobic attacks when I try to browse or watch YT on smartphones. No joke. Edit: a website is a must, but yes, it's annoying extra work.

[ievajen]

I noticed that if a designer got website and pin goes to their website and from there to zazzle, it opens product page normally without any view product details; you got your website then rather pin from there

[Fiorenzo]

@ColsCreations @sm @Cat @CreativeLeahG and for those experienced with (and have unlocked) API:

API links seem to work correctly when copy-and-pasted into the address bar of a browser with previously deleted cookies. You can create the base API link in your account/associates page under "Create a product API link" and then delete all irrelevant queries from that link: your rf affiliate ID (to get a clean promoter link) and all the content referring to all your templates. In this case your default entries and placeholders are taken.

Here's an example. To test it out, open your test browser, delete first your cookies, then click on the links below or copy and paste them in the address bar. Always close and reopen and delete the cookies before you test a different link. I didn't test via Pinterest since I'm not using it yet. Make your own tests also with your products to check it out.

1. Regular link to a puzzle with (hidden) template image and a dummy text field with info. If cookies are deleted, this link should lead to the landing page:
https://www.zazzle.com/tricolor_collie_angel_and_cherubim_in_dog_heaven_jigsaw_puzzle-11671369576249... 

 2. Product Link through API - cleaned up from rf code and field contents; the regular product page should load (don't forget to delete the cookies again before testing); more info below the screenshot:
https://www.zazzle.com/api/create/at-238690074334411821?pd=116713695762494975&ed=true&ax=Linkover 

 The full, original API link generated in the create API product page in my case is:
https://www.zazzle.com/api/create/at-238690074334411821?rf=238690074334411821&pd=116713695762494975&ed=true&ax=Linkover&t_11i_iid=735aef7c-1571-46ca-8c8b-e845b20c18eb

Delete your affiliate rf-code to get a clean promoter link and delete all template text and image content to load your default entries and placeholders.
The cleaned link looks like this:
https://www.zazzle.com/api/create/at-238690074334411821?pd=116713695762494975&ed=true&ax=Linkover

And on Zazzle (URL address bar) it gets automatically replaced by this:
https://www.zazzle.com/tricolor_collie_angel_and_cherubim_in_dog_heaven_jigsaw_puzzle-11671369576249...

Please give feedback if you test it out in Pinterest and elsewhere.

[CreativeLeahG]

I will need to study this further as I don't use API links, and a VERY BIG THANK YOU for posting this work around.

The problem is I can't do this retrospectively on the 50,000 plus pins and referral links I have already shared which is what is creating the problems that we currently face.

The fact is as I see it , our referral links should ONLY go to the page we intended and were led to believe they would go to when we joined the affiliate program. They should not be subject to a redirect. And hence if this redirect is of Zazzle's making then I am hoping it is an error and that the resulting deficit in referral fees was unintended and that it can be remedied so referral links go where they were intended, to our own product page. 

@Scott can you please confirm if this is an intentional redirect or if we can have a 'fix' so our referrals point to our product pages as intended? Thank you

[Fiorenzo]

I absolutely agree with you on all points. The workaround may also fail, since they can change the API behavior anytime at their own discretion, too. Promoter links are risky anyway, due to the use of clean links on just your own pages and how cookies work. Let's hope, the responsible at Z will understand and fix the issue.

[CreativeLeahG]

Well all things considered, I don't think I have anything to lose by deleting some pins, so I've started with this board which has over 53,000! My Pinterest view count appears to have increased as a result.

[CreativeLeahG]

Deleted another 22,000, quite cathartic and it looks like a lot of pins don't point to any of my products due to disappearing products, old blogs, so it's all good. I'll start afresh with a new approach.

[CreativeLeahG]

@Scott There is something seriously wrong here now, even my ascend/pepperjam referral links that are generated from my product pages and shared on X (Twitter) are now redirected to a landing page. I thought the pepperjam system would be 'exempt' from a redirect if there was one, so this suggests some other error. Please can someone look into this? It must be a technical issue (redirect thread to technical forum please) Referral links should only redirect to the actual page the referral link was generated from. 

Example Link on Twitter https://www.gopjn.com/t/8-12530-222732-220444?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zazzle.com%2Fagate_blue_purple_g... 

[CreativeLeahG]

My referral income to date $38,685.31

I think that's pretty healthy affiliate income and I definitely want to continue being an affiliate, so any help re this issue is very much appreciated. 

[sm]

They don't want to increase your referral income. They want to increase traffic without paying anyone for it. Zazzle's affiliate program was the worse one out there even before the new one was introduced. Who else has their own affiliate code? That alone has always been ridiculous. This new one is even worse than the old one.

You are being polite in order to avoid any damaging consequences but the damaging consequences have already been done. There is a reason why Zazzle keeps hitting the designer with more damaging consequences and it's probably because financially they themselves are likely damaged. It has always seemed to be a pooly run organisation that always seems to be in damage control. It's sad because I've always wanted to see Zazzle improve, being here for so long. Their technology improves but everything else seems to be in a freefall. 

[CreativeLeahG]

I disagree because there is NO traffic from sellers without the allure of referrals. So it is in Zazzle and every other affiliate program's interests to have a successful affiliate program. If the program is unsuccessful, people will stop referring them. A referral program that is flawed is not only counterproductive (resulting in a loss in traffic as people stop referring) but it could result in increasing traffic and thus income for the competition. No one here wins (including Zazzle) if the referral program doesn't work. I'm very much hoping this is some weird blip Zazzle was unaware of that we can have fixed. 

[sm]

1.4 million linkovers. $39K over how many years? The program is successful... for them. They have always had this balance where it's just enough to keep the designer affiliates hooked but the pendulum has swung too far the other way with this move. The reason any company would do something like this is usually desperation. 

You're incredibly optimistic if you believe that a landing page with 65 options that avoids having to pay you 35% referral income is a glitch or some coincidence. I hope I am wrong and you are right but I'm not that optimistic, which is a polite way of putting it. I can't think of even one thing that adversely affected us financially that was reversed after we whined about it. Now I suspect they will eventually change this one when they can afford to but there must be some big reason why they've done this. I'm sure you can think of it without mentioning it here.

[CreativeLeahG]

The bulk of my earnings occurred in the last 3-4yrs. Hence why for me any 'change' is impactful as this income has replaced all others.

[sm]

Yours and others' success with the new program may have been impactful for them. It's no different to the 15% referral program. Initially it was good enough to hook designers into promoting but then Zazzle made changes where they found ways to replace our referral codes with their own. For a long time, those existing links remained and worked in their favour. Now this new program was good enough to hook designers into the program and seemingly, the same thing is happening in a more obvious way.

Do you really believe that this isn't intentional? Like you, I can only hope it's not but going by all the other things Zazzle has intentionally done that's impacted designers in a negative way, it's impossible for me to contemplate that this is accidental or some glitch. At best, in my mind, I can put it down to bad judgement but even so, if they are in a situation where they need all the money they can get, I don't think they'll  change it, at least not any time soon. They'll likely benefit from all those existing links out there and then change it again when it fizzles out for them.  Zazzle designers will then get hooked again before they pull another Zazzle on them. You have been here long enough. I know it's difficult to express what you are really feeling because you are worried that there will be bad consequences but the bad consequences are already happening. 

I don't believe this will change anytime soon and I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually make links from designers' websites also hit the landing page. At this stage, I'm hoping they at least make our own images clear and not blurry so that I can still promote using the old method and if I get a referral if a customer chooses one of the 65 other products, so be it. With that blurry image which is most apparent on smaller devices, there is no incentive to promote any product at all. It's not just bad for me, it's bad for customers. I'm hoping they at least fix that. 

[Fiorenzo]

I agree with many of your thoughts but IMO you are exaggerating a bit in some points. If Zazzle wants to cheat on purpose, they could do it in way more subtle ways without making it look obvious. That I can easily tell as a programmer - there are endless ways to artificially lower the referral ratio with minimal coding efforts. No. IMO, they just added something new but didn't elaborate well on what the consequences may be. Happens pretty often, also with new tools and products that often come with glitches and logical flaws at first implementation. I hope, this issue gets discussed and we'll get an official statement asap, hopefully with some fixes or assurances. In regard to the blurriness of the image, this one is one more flaw that happens quite often. P.S. Not saying I'm not aware of some little tricks here and there. On the other hand, I also question the very high promo share of 35%. This is a percentage you often don't even get in classic retail, and in terms of royalties, authors/artists usually (got and) get from 2 to 5-7, perhaps 10%, and this often based on the wholesale price. Unless they are famous. These are the numbers you can expect as a creative from big publishers.

[CreativeLeahG]

I've created a summary of all the chats here which I hope helps all.

---

Discussion Summary

The comments discuss various issues related to what appears to be Zazzle's practice of redirecting customers to a landing page instead of the intended product page when they click on external links. Users have observed that this landing page includes not only the featured product but also showcases numerous (65) other products by different designers, providing customers with alternative choices.

Some key points and concerns highlighted in the comments include:

• Inconsistent Redirects: Users report that the redirection to the landing page is inconsistent and can occur even when customers are logged in to their Zazzle accounts. This inconsistency has made it difficult for them to predict whether their referral links will lead to the landing page or the product page.
• Impact on Promoter 2 Program: The redirection issue has affected Zazzle's Promoter 2 Program, where designers can earn a 35% affiliate fee for successful sales of their products. When customers are redirected to the landing page, it hinders the effectiveness of marketing efforts, leading to potentially missed referral fees.
• Decline in Referrals: Some users have noticed a decline in self-referrals and affiliate earnings. They speculate that the redirection issue could be a contributing factor, as customers might be diverted to other products instead of the ones designers are promoting.
• Unclear Motivation: Users express confusion about whether this redirection is a result of Zazzle's or Pinterest's policies. They seek clarification regarding the underlying reasons for these redirects and how to engage with Pinterest or Zazzle to address the matter.
• Disappointment and Dilemma: The redirection issue has left many designers disappointed, questioning the effectiveness of their efforts in promoting Zazzle products. Some are considering whether to remove their Promoter 2 pins to avoid potential sales being directed to other designers, which would significantly reduce the number of customers they send to Zazzle.
• Future Uncertainty: Designers express concerns about the future of their promotional efforts and the impact of these changes on their referral strategies.
• Inconsistency of Landing Page: Users express that the issue with the landing page is not due to any specific tracking codes. The redirection problem occurs frequently when clicking Zazzle links from external sources, such as Google, leading to the landing page.
• Impact on Views and Rankings: Concerns arise about whether views are being counted when customers land on the landing page and subsequently click on another product. Users worry that these redirected views may contribute to the ranking of other designers' products, negatively affecting their own visibility.
• Strategies for Self-Promotion: Some users have devised strategies to deal with the landing page issue. They recommend pinning products from their website or using API links, both of which seem to bypass the landing page redirection, as does linking from collections.
• Uncertainty about the Redirection: Users seek clarification from Zazzle administrators and request a resolution to ensure that referral links lead to the intended product pages.

Overall, the comments highlight frustration and uncertainty surrounding the recent redirection of customer referrals on Zazzle and its potential consequences for designers' affiliate marketing efforts. Designers seek answers and clarity on why these changes have been implemented and whether they can be reversed or improved to ensure that referral links function as intended to benefit both self-promoters and the Zazzle community.

END SUMMARY

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As per my OP, I bring up this concern with the utmost respect for our platform and community. My intention is solely to foster positive change and enhance the experiences of all users. I trust that my feedback will be seen as a constructive contribution and will not have any unintended consequences. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to listen to feedback and respond without prejudice.

[ColsCreations]

Since I think the tech side re cookies and links behavior has now been covered in great detail regarding the "landing page" as it's being called, I'd like to comment on the original concern which was that this new initial "landing page" might draw shoppers away from YOUR product to someone else's. It's likely going to be an unpopular opinion but that's never stopped me before. 😉

I totally understand that someone promoting something (no matter how much effort they put in to it, whether one random link shared or a full blown marketing effort) wants the royalty for someone buying THEIR product + a referral bonus and that for regular associates, if the shopper is lured away they'll still get their 15% referral but that Promoters will not get anything at all because it wasn't their product. So I get why this temp landing page with its long display of "other designs from this category" is causing extra concern for those in the Promoter Program who fear losing out. But ...

1) As I've said before, Zazzle doesn't care whose product someone buys as long as they're buying something. From a business standpoint it's smart to show other similar options. Product A might draw them in for a look but huh, Product B might have colors or fonts or wording or pricing etc that suits them even better so that's what gets the sale. Besides food, I buy almost everything online and don't believe I have ever just clicked a link and purchased something without first exploring the website and checking out other options I might like even better. The threat of people getting sidetracked and buying not-your-product has always been there. I think it's just good business sense to show other options and helpful for the customer who most likely doesn't care which individual Creator the design is from, they just buy what they like. The problem is that as Creators, we naturally want the website laid out in a way that benefits US best rather than Z or the end-consumer and we tend to forget that Z is a business that will present things in whatever way they think will lead to better sales regardless of who the designer happens to be.

2) The "other designs you might like" scroll on all product pages is a bigger threat than the "other designs from this category" display on the "landing page" because the scroll options are usually actually similar to the main product and thus might actually draw the shopper away from your product to look at the others. I have no idea what algorithm they're using to pick the other products shown on the landing page, but they're rarely similar enough to the main product to be a threat. I posted an example of this w/ screenshots back in March but here's another example from today.

Using this product from @Fiorenzo 

if you open the product in a virgin browser (or other scenario that produces the "landing page") the "other designs from this category" products shown are completely unrelated in design style & theme.

I went through all three pages of "other designs ..."  available via the landing page and NONE were even remotely similar to his original design the user clicked on. The only thing they have in common is that they're all Christmas cards. I don't believe that someone who is interested enough in his pet-> dog-> collie -> angel design to click on its link somewhere is going to be lured away in to buying any of these other your-photo-your text here type designs instead.

Another example is this very specific themed bridal shower invite.

 and here's some of the "other designs ..."  available via its landing page.

Again, NONE on the three pages you can scroll through are even remotely similar, the only thing they have in common is they are all bridal shower invites. I just can't see someone interested in the main theme design they clicked on being lured away by any of these alternate designs shown below it on the "landing page". I think Zazzle is missing the mark here, if they are going to show other products they should be other designs the customer might be interested in but they instead show what seem to be random unrelated designs which doesn't help themselves or the shopper.

I understand why people are concerned about these alternate products by other designers being shown but I feel the fear is being over-blown. Landing page or not, there is/has always been the possibility of someone coming in on your link but buying not-your-product. That's a risk you always have in the promoter program - 15% no matter what they buy, or gamble on more than doubling your earnings to 35% if they buy only yours. Given the unrelated designs they are showing on the landing page, I don't think it's changing those odds,  and I def don't think Z implemented it just to put up a road block to Promoter referrals at the higher percentage.

[Fiorenzo]

Your analysis is top-notch. As always.

I agree that there is no bad intent from Zazzle (as I already wrote, in such a case you have other, better options). I also agree that these third-party listings won't seriously affect designers covering particular niches and offering designs with their own unique artistic look (and most certainly referring their own followers/fans) in terms of purchases. They might affect designers with a more "mainstream" approach, though. E.g. those following trends or patterns/designs subject to a broad competition. We are talking about sales here, though, not about affiliate shares, and in the latter case, it may hurt more or less, depending on your promotion approach.

For designers following the mentioned "mainstream" route and lacking a dedicated, loyal audience, I always suggest sticking to the regular 15% affiliate approach, simply because it's a much safer bet. By doing so, this landing page doesn't really hurt, because people tend to look anyway for similar alternatives (you were right, and I do the same), and even if you lose your sale, you get your 15% affiliate on third-party purchases.

For the all-or-nothing self-promoters (35% on self-referrals and 0% on everything else), this landing page may be a major threat, even for those with unique designs and a dedicated audience like me. People tend to be curious, and often they check other things that may look interesting to them, before they engage in the purchase process. I'm such a person. So, while the referring "unique" artist will most certainly still get the promoted product sold, chances are high that he/she will lose his/her 35% self-promo share and end with 0% on any purchase (self or third-party) due to curious customers clicking first on a third-party product before heading forward to buy the promoted designer's product. In which case that (deserved) customer's promo share is lost for any "self-referred" purchase this customer, brought in by the referring designer, does. This is the major issue. And in this case, it doesn't help if you have unique designs or not and if the third-party listings are relevant or not. The only way you have as an artist in these cases is to find workarounds or warn & instruct the potential customer beforehand (my yellow-warning-on-red-banner hint).

[CreativeLeahG]

I agree with much of what you say however ...

The point is a simple one 

When we create referral links for a specific page, the links should return to that specific page.

It is the basic principle of all affiliate programs.

Would I have joined the promoter 2 program sharing around 100,000 links if I knew a redirect was going to be initiated down the line?

No.

Is the fear being overblown? When my income is dented it is not over blown. I am not spending a large part of my time referring for 'nothing'.

There is NO fear here, this is a matter of 1. ethics and 2. me knowing how the land lies so I can make adaptations to ensure I do not suffer income losses. I can only do that when I know if this 'landing page' is intentional if it is here to stay. If it is, then I need to make changes .... because it is affecting (appears to be) my income.

I am not speculating about Zazzle's intentions, I merely want to know (in OP, I had thought this a Pinterest issue) what's what, so I can do some damage control, which I have already initiated in part. But I still need more info before I decide to withdraw from the Promoter 2 program.