Ever since the initial announcement of the iPhone, I was anxious to promote it as an affiliate. With all of the hype, I figured I couldn’t miss making some affiliate cash off of it.
But I didn’t think of one potential hurdle - that Apple wouldn’t let me promote it.
I was checking daily for the past week or so for some creative to promote the iPhone. I figured they would have dozens of options. Text links, animated and static banners, etc.
Lots of affiliates were criticizing Apple, since their affiliate program only pays 1%. But I was sure the volume potential for the iPhone would render that issue meaningless.
I checked for one last time at noon EST on Friday, June 29. It was just six hours until the release of the iPhone. Still nothing.
So I wrote a note to the Apple affiliate program manager to ask if there would be any iPhone creative or direct links. No response to date.
The launch of the iPhone came and went. My Apple affiliate links pointed to the Apple Store homepage. I never pushed the offer.
I suppose we’ll see iPhone creative at some point, as the hype dies down and Apple isn’t getting all the organic traffic anymore. Count me as one of many who won’t be lining up to promote the iPhone for 1% commission when the early adopters have already snatched it up.