| Understanding AffiliateFairPlay
Test Results
Below is a guide to understanding AffiliateFairPlay's test results
for adware:
Test Dates(s): The date(s) during which the testing
occurred. The results indicate the behavior we found during the
Test Date(s). Adware can frequently change various aspects of their
behavior. In order to understand a patterns of behavior for a particular
adware application, you can compare archived reports where available.
Version: This is the software version of the application
we tested. You should realize that adware can have different versions
available at any given point in time. Different versions may behave
differently. Our reported test results are specific to the version
we tested.
Application Type: A general classification of
the type of adware being tested. Examples include: toolbar, rebate
application and contextual pop-up application.
Allows Third Party Advertising: Some adware companies
allow others to buy ad inventory to be displayed through their application.
In such case, AFP is not distinguishing in our reporting if the
behavior is connected with ads directly from the owner's of the
adware or a third party advertising through the adware application.
We are looking at behaviors of the application itself regardless
of the ad source. It is our contention that ultimately it is the
owner of the adware application who is responsible for the manner
in which their software behaves. However, it is important to realize
that an application may allow for third party advertising as it
may not be the owner of the adware itself you may have a business
relationship with but rather the third party advertiser.
Displays Pop-up/Under/Behind, Slider or New Browser Window:
This is the behavior associated most frequently with adware.
The generation of a pop up ad. Over time adware companies have developed
many different versions of a 'pop up' calling them many different
names. "Yes" for this test criteria indicates that some
type of ad delivery or messaging to the end user occurred which
they can visually see on their monitor.
Alters the Content of the Original Web Site/Page: Examples
of this type of adware would be replacing banner ads on a web site
with their own banner ads or adding hyperlinks to the original web
site's text content for the adware's own ads.
Intercepts and/or Changes Web Navigation of the Original
Web Site/Page: This behavior happens when the adware application
delivers the end user to a destination which is different from the
intended click or typing a domain in the browser by the end user.
Where Does the Behavior Occur: This indicates
where the observed behavior of the adware can happen. Some adware
may potentially activate on any web page being viewed by the end
user or no web browsing is required at all for activation (i.e.
Desktop). However, some adware behavior may only be seen on a particular
type of web site such as a Merchant's web site.
Automatically Invokes Affiliate Tracking Code (No Physical
Click by End User): This behavior is specific to Affiliate
Marketing. It indicates that the software behaved in such a way
that the end user never physically clicked on either an affiliate
link directly or something in the adware interface to have the affiliate
URL activate causing a subsequent purchase to be credited to the
adware (or entity advertising through the adware). This type of
behavior is often called "a forced click" in the affiliate
marketing community.
Displays a Prompt Which End User Must Click to Invoke Affiliate
Tracking Code: This behavior is specific to Affiliate Marketing.
The adware doesn't "force a click" but rather presents
the end user with some type of prompt to click on something which
will then cause their affiliate link to be set and tracked. Examples
of prompts are pop-ups, sliders on the browser or desktop or blinking
icons in the browser or system tray.
Activates on Merchant's Non-Affiliate Traffic (e.g. Direct
Type-ins, Natural SERP's, Paid Advertising): The adware's
behavior can be seen on the Merchant's web site where the traffic
source is anything but affiliate traffic.
Activates on Merchant's Affiliate Traffic: The
adware's behavior can be seen on the Merchant's web site where the
traffic source was from another affiliate. There is a special point
to be made with regards to this testing criteria. Terms of Service
can vary with regards to this particular behavior by Network and
Merchant. The most notable example is that some TOS stipulate as
to the manner in which the original affiliate's link is coded as
to whether or not this behavior is allowed. AffiliateFairPlay's
assessment of this behavior is irrespective of any particular TOS
by a Network or Merchant. Rather AFP is looking at whether the behavior
is present or not from any linking type. While we test traffic to
the Merchant's from other affiliates who use a variety of linking
methods, a positive result for this criteria may not necessarily
indicate that the adware is in violation of a particular Network
or Merchant's TOS.
Delivers Hidden Ads (i.e. Ads or Merchant's Web Site Is
Not Viewable by End User): This testing criteria indicates
the behavior of some adware applications of 'delivering' the ad
for which they are potentially receiving financial compensation
from the advertiser but the end user does not actually experience
the ad (e.g. seeing the ad or being delivered to the advertisers
web site). Examples of this behavior could be forcing an affiliate
click while suppressing the browser window to the Merchant's web
site or an automated click for an PPCSE listings while suppressing
the browser window to the advertiser's web site.
Displays Ads On Competitor's Web Sites: Ad's will
display on a competitor's web site or web browser will be redirected
to a competitor's web site from the intended navigation of the end
user.
Trademarks in the URL and/or Contents of Web Page Being
Viewed by End User Trigger Software: This behavior is most
common with contextually based adware but can occur with other types
as well A trademark in the URL or somewhere on the web page being
viewed will cause the software to activate.
Ads For Merchant's Web Site May Display on Affiliate's
Web Site: In this situation, an ad to a Merchant's web
site can display on an Affiliate's web site.
Ads For Affiliate's Web Site May Display on Merchant's
Web Site: In this situation, an ad to an Affiliate's web
site can display on a Merchant's web site.
Types of Ads: These are the types of ads AFP sees
in the software based on the ads revenue source. These include Affiliate
Marketing, Media Buys, PPCSE listings and Shopping Comparison listings.
Browser Compatibility: Whether or not we also
see the adware behavior when usingFireFox and Opera browsers.
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