As far as Performics/Google deal goes, first I believe Google will spin off (or let go) the SEO business. They must do so to be good on their “don’t be evil” motto. As far as merchants migrating to Performics, Google and their billions is of course a factor that will attract some.

I am not an affiliate pro and some other readers may have more insight on this. I personally think that in the long run it all depends on what kind of deal Google offers merchants and their policy towards affiliates (Adware tolerance?).

Just curious, do you think it is legal of what PricePinx and PriceProtectr do ? I mean, its obvious that they use a screen scrapping script on the URLs given by the user to track the price. Screen scrapping has always been legally ambiguous. Beyond the direct legality we know that merchants/stores will try to do anything to stop websites which try to pinch their profit. The legal suits for BlackFriday and Amazon reducing commissions for Deal sites are best examples.

Also, Do you think merchants will now slowly start to leave the other two big networks CJ and LS and move to Performics, just because it is “Google” ? I feel that whenever there is a necessity to move networks, Performics will be getting a priority due to the “Google” factor.