It’s no secret top affiliate marketers rely on autoresponder software to send timed series emails to site visitors.   Third party companies are often the provider of Autroresponder software and finding the right one can be a challenge.

Autoresponder.com provides loads of info on the best of the best third party providers, user reviews, and professional analysis.  These programs are necessary in their most basic form to follow-up with the customers who want to be followed-up with.  Affiliate marketers can customize their replies and rely on the third party companies to deliver the message - instantly. 

Autoresponder.com lists the following as the top autoresponder programs available:

- Abweber

- EmailAces

- GetResponse

- IntelliContact

- RobotReply

Their rating criteria was based on deliverability, customer service, technology features, and cost - variables that all affiliate marketeres should take into account when searching for an autoresponder provider. 

Affiliate marketing has officially jumped the Pond.  Well, not really (AM reaches beyond several international borders and calls no one place home) - but the United Kingdom’s Affiliate Marketing Sector is launching its own a4uexpo.

And what exactly is a4uexpo (http://www.a4uexpo.com)?   The October 25th and 26th London conference is an affiliate marketing exhibition specifically for the European market.  The conference focuses on networking, education, and the latest news on affiliate marketing trends and developments. 

Fifty UK businesses have the opportunity to attend the two day event, and attendees are also privy to their very own awards show.  More than half the available tickets have already disappeared, however some are still available, plus many through event sponsored contests. 

…The state of Utah that is.  An Associated Press report investigated Utah’s recent attempt to take control of the internet by passing a law that specifically targets keyword-triggered advertising.  The law is called the ‘Trademark Protection Act’, and prevents competitive ads from appearing on search queries.  It was passed by Utah’s governor, Jon Huntsman Jr. on March 19th of this year. 

Reasons for the law primarily center on the uncontrolled level of influence flung at consumers and the makings an unfair marketplace.  Law proponents believe paid ads take away from business by luring the consumer away from what he or she was originally “shopping” for. 

Despite Utah’s efforts, keyword ads are considered state to state commerce, which is controlled by the federal government.  This doesn’t mean Google Inc. and other search engine players are going to sit back and wait however.  The law has peaked the interest of several Bay Area based attorneys who find major concerns with the law both for Google and consumers.  Electronic Frontier Foundation attorney, Corynne McSherry claimed in a recent blog that, “(the law) undermines the fundamental purpose of trademarks: to improve consumer access to accurate information about goods and services.”

In addition to Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! do have editorial guidelines in place that, to some extent, control third party ads - but until now, most incidences have been case by case.