Overture stops pharmacy advertisers

[Bob Popular]

Dear Overture Advertiser,

As you may know, the online pharmacy market has become increasingly
complex, with numerous companies offering products and information
directly to consumers. As a result, Overture is taking steps to better ensure
that our pharmacy listings meet the highest standards of integrity and
accountability. Doing so allows us to maintain our commitment to
providing consumers, advertisers and distribution partners with the best
online experience possible. Therefore, beginning November 14th, 2003,
Overture will temporarily stop displaying select pharmacy-industry listings
on all partner sites in our network.

To help our valued advertisers get their listings back online as
quickly as possible, we are currently evaluating a third party program to
help identify pharmacy advertisers that are appropriate for Overture's
marketplace, as well as other potential solutions. We anticipate that we
will have a solution in place no later than the first quarter of 2004.
We will notify you again regarding next steps as soon as more
information is available.

Please note that your affected listings will no longer be visible in
the DirecTraffic Centerr, however they will remain in Overture's systems
so that they may be brought back online once your site has been
approved to list within our pharmacy marketplace. In addition, no new
listings for pharmacy terms will be accepted during this time.

We understand that this temporary disruption may impact your business.
Please be assured that we are working quickly to put the necessary
program in place that will help ensure the integrity of our pharmacy
listings.

We value your business and appreciate your understanding as we
implement this new policy.

Sincerely,

Your Partners at Overture

[phalaris]

This is more bad news.


Most likely google will follow the example set by overture.

[RxRob]

Wow, it's falling apart fast. now smileys/smiley3.gif

[RX69]

That is going to cost them Huge!!! First quarter of 2004 - I could have starved and widdled away into nothing by then. Or I could just live off the Thousands that I wont be sendingthem every day!


Gota run.... Building my own search engine!!

[Affiliate]

This is like watching a snow man in melt away 90 degree weather. smileys/smiley19.gif

[rxcdn]

Just checked, a few new adwords campaigns have been sitting there not looked at yet and with 0 impressons since Monday. smileys/smiley6.gif Hope it's not a sign.

[RX69]

"select pharmacy-industry listings
on all partner sites in our network."


Perhaps this is just the sites still offering Hydro etc......


Lots of listings still up and itis Nov 14th

[phalaris]

Two of my new adword campaignsare also sitting without approval since Nov 05.

[RX69]

Put up a adword campagin two days ago and it was running within hour and is still racking up a bill as of a minute ago.

[rxcdn]

Put up a adword campagin two days ago and it was running within hour and is still racking up a bill as of a minute ago. Hmmm, guess they love you more than me. I don't even bother emailing google to complain, if they don't want my $$$ that's fine! Could have been the med too. smileys/smiley2.gif

[redex]

Not to get off topic, but, affiliate the lower left corner of your new avatar needs to be blurred out or censored. I saw the video smileys/smiley8.gif


OK, back on topic


GAWD, I cannot even log into Overture. Everyone must be checking their ads. Damn.

[Affiliate]

ummm... that's an arm smileys/smiley2.gif


</back on topic>

[MedMan]

Just got off the phone with Overture, they are stopping ALL pharmaceutical ads beginning today and all ads should be offline by Monday.


They are just idiots in my book. Ipay themover $200K a month and now they are going to just drop me like a bad habit! f**k them.


They also told me that they are going to certify all online pharmacies just like they certify their Alchohol advertisers but they do not have a program in place as of yet.


Looks like Adwords will be getting a lot more money from me - at least until they stop their advertising as well!


Jesus, what next!!!!!! Isn't there anyone out there fighting for us for Christ's sake??????????

[redex]

Jesus, what next!!!!!! Isn't there anyone out there fighting for us for Christ's sake??????????


Nope not Jesus, prolly icollect is though. More so than the rest of us. What is to fight. There are laws, you abide by them. There are listing guidelines, you abide by them. I don't thinkyou have a choice here.

[Shark Attack]

I would love to be a fly on the wall at Google because they have to be seriously looking into all of this. If adwords drop all OP stuff.. no I don't want to even think about it !

[icollect]

I think you guys are going to find that this is step one in the complete elimination of all but 16 pharmacies from the web including result pages. Corporations are intimidating new players like yahoo, google and overture with veiled threats of legal action. It's the way the game has been played for centuries. They are eliminating your supply lines while at the same time limiting your ability to communicate with you client base.Your problem and mine is the ops won't form some kind of regulating committee. Redex I respectfully disagree there are no laws, no guidelines, they are being written now, our only chance to keep these dinosaurs from taking over is to show we are responsible legitamate businesses. Otherwise it back to Burger King for me, "have it your way, have it your way", hmmm hmmm hmmm have it your way.

[Shark Attack]

MedMan- I'm surprised they are saying "ALL" becasue their email notice states : Overture will temporarily stop displaying select pharmacy-industry listings on all partner sites in our network. I read this as there is some kind of selection process going on.

[Star]

class action

[Star]

medman, at $200k you must be one of the lowballers at the top? Are you even getting half that back in sales?

[RxSponsor.com]

This is the first step towards a regulating body that will "certify" pharmacies. This may become a political issue with special interest groups who have deep pockets deciding who they willlet in.


This could make it impossible for some of the new players trying to compete in the mainstream med market to do business.


Bad news indeed, we will allhave to follow this very closely and try our best to organize some effort to have our voice heard..

[MedMan]

Yes, they stated ALL pharmaceutical keywords. Whether or not the person I was talking to had the correct information is not certain.


Star, I guess you would call me a medium-baller. I have posted about this before but I will re-state it just in case you missed it: Lowballers are idiots because they do not know how to entice a buyer to purchase once they come to your website. All they offer is low prices, nothing more. A lot of customers do not trust sites that sell too low and in fact, my sales have always gone up every week even though I have the highest prices in the top 5 search listings.


I can afford the 200K easily - let's just say that I make a whole lot more than that each month - but a lowballer would probably lose money or just barely break even.

[Shark Attack]

200k - you must have one hell of a credit card limit ! I guess when you spend those amounts you must have to deposit with Overture first.

[Affiliate]

I wouldn't be able to sleep if I was spending that much with overture. Hopefully they sent you a more than just a train wistle!

[iggy]

To recap. USA and Eva sold their business this week. Overture/Yahoo/AOL have stopped showing ads. Google will follow next weeek.

Think that maybe, just maybe the fat lady has sung?

[Affiliate]

There are people on this board who are in it until the DEA drags them away... lol.

[iggy]

I know there are, Affiliate, and it's a shame

[webwiz]

Dear Overture Advertiser,

As you may know, the online pharmacy market has become increasingly
complex, with numerous companies offering products and information
directly to consumers. As a result, Overture is taking steps to better ensure
that our pharmacy listings meet the highest standards of integrity and
accountability. Doing so allows us to maintain our commitment to
providing consumers, advertisers and distribution partners with the best
online experience possible. Therefore, beginning November 14th, 2003,
Overture will temporarily stop displaying select pharmacy-industry listings
on all partner sites in our network.

To help our valued advertisers get their listings back online as
quickly as possible, we are currently evaluating a third party program to
help identify pharmacy advertisers that are appropriate for Overture's
marketplace, as well as other potential solutions. We anticipate that we
will have a solution in place no later than the first quarter of 2004.
We will notify you again regarding next steps as soon as more
information is available.

Please note that your affected listings will no longer be visible in
the DirecTraffic Centerr, however they will remain in Overture's systems
so that they may be brought back online once your site has been
approved to list within our pharmacy marketplace. In addition, no new
listings for pharmacy terms will be accepted during this time.

We understand that this temporary disruption may impact your business.
Please be assured that we are working quickly to put the necessary
program in place that will help ensure the integrity of our pharmacy
listings.

We value your business and appreciate your understanding as we
implement this new policy.

Sincerely,

Your Partners at Overture



This is an absolute disgrace on Overture's part. Just because they have a dominant position regarding internet search they think they can ride rough shot over people.


Perhaps a massive DOSattack on their servers for an extended period might inject a bit of reality into them or light en their wallets perhaps?


Like I said of the DEA, go f**k yourselves Overture, another online scumbag business shows it's true colours.


Peter.smileys/smiley7.gifsmileys/smiley7.gif

[Shark Attack]

Surely Google are a class above Overture. They seem to be handling my new ads and revisions on a daily basis with immediate attention. To suddenly withdraw ads say on Monday would be a shock to me , even given everything that has gone before. Overture promise to sort things by Q1 2004, I hope they keep their word.

[pillz]

>>To recap. USA and Eva sold their business this week





I didn't know that USAP sold their business.

[negvon]

Google will follow next weeek.

Think that maybe, just maybe the fat lady has sung?





Are you sure about that?

[redex]

>>To recap. USA and Eva sold their business this weekI didn't know that USAP sold their business.


You been dozing again pillz:


http://www.rxaffiliateforum.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1330&amp (http://www.rxaffiliateforum.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1330&PN=1) ;PN=1

[iggy]

I'm not sure that Google will stop next week - but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize it ain't gonna be long

[phalaris]

OP ads send good amount of cash to google. With its IPO coming up sometime next year, I don't think google will drop OP ads because it will mean a significant hit to its bottomline and hence valuation in the IPO.


Overture was/is a different matter. Yahoo has multiple income streams to cover up the overture's loss of income from OP ads but for google adwords is the only source of income.

[Anni]

Has anyones ads been suspended yet?


I just checked mine and, so far they are still there...

[redex]

Has anyones ads been suspended yet?


I just checked mine and, so far they are still there...





Overture or Adwords Anni?

[Anni]

overture

[phalaris]

My ads are also still there on both Yahoo and MSN.


I'm alsoyet to receive any email from overture.

[Anni]

I got the email, but no change so far on the listings....

[pillz]

>>


You been dozing again pillz:


http://www.rxaffiliateforum.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1330&amp (http://www.rxaffiliateforum.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1330& ;PN=1) ; ;PN=1





Yes I guess so. With buyers for both USAP and EVA, there appears to be some different interpretations of where online pharms are going. Those selling think that maybe this is the end, while those buying think that this is a new beginning. I personally thinks it's both.

[redex]

Would that be the end of a new beginning or the beginning of a new end? LOL smileys/smiley8.gif

[smokey]

Just checked overtue and they are not listing results for phentermine, but are listing for phentermine online and buy phentermine. This doesn't really make any sense?

[DEWIE42]

I have spoke with others advertising on Overture also and all pharmacy ads are still running...myself I have mucho money sitting there....but wonder if I should just leave it there as my ads are all offline, anyway(was saving it for a rainy day)...hmmmmm.....smileys/smiley2.gif

[redex]

Just checked overtue and they are not listing results for phentermine, but are listing for phentermine online and buy phentermine. This doesn't really make any sense?


There are Overture ads all over MSN for keyword "phentermine" smileys/smiley5.gif smileys/smiley5.gif


Wuchoo smokin' smokey? smileys/smiley8.gif

[smokey]

I guess this isn't to bad for me really the only keywords I really use from overture is dietpills.com which I have a grandfather clause for .05 and no competition because I thru a bitch fit of other people bidding on my domain name.

[smokey]

Just checked overtue and they are not listing results for phentermine, but are listing for phentermine online and buy phentermine. This doesn't really make any sense?


There are Overture ads all over MSN for keyword "phentermine" smileys/smiley5.gif smileys/smiley5.gif


Wuchoo smokin' smokey? smileys/smiley8.gif





Funny you should asksmileys/smiley2.gif, but go directly to overture and try phentermine.

[Jaanis]

This is so f**king bad

[Affiliate]

I wonder how much money Overture is losing? Has to be in the millions. 2 or 3 mill per month maybe?

[Shark Attack]

Well just logged into my Overture account and most of the controlled keywords have gone. They haven't just put them on hold , they have disapperared ( I understand come the first Quarter next year they may magically appear). When I think of all the time and effort getting those listings approved (as we all know the editors can sometimes be a little bit inconsistent) plus all the time setting the bids at the right levels so as I make the right ROI - it makes me wonder.

[Jaanis]

I agree shark, what happened to the keywords?????? Overture said they would stay in the offline pool, but they just deleted them. Mother f**kers

[Shark Attack]

If in 5 years time I am still living off affiliate commissions and have a diverse portfolio of sites / businesses that can't be struck down in one shot I will look back and think this wasn't such a bad thing.But right at this moment I learning a lot of lessons very fast, I love the internet, I love working for myself and I definitely won't let this beat me

[Anni]

Yep I just lost 300 listings, but Jaanis, they did say that we would not be able to see them in the traffic center and that they would keep them in readiness for Q1 04, in their back end system...

[Jaanis]

Yes you right Anni

[redex]

NOW they are gone from MSN listings. Gone but not forgotten LOL

[redex]

Well just logged into my Overture account and most of the controlled keywords have gone. They haven't just put them on hold , they have disapperared


Controlled, my ass. Every keyword I had withANY med name in it is gone from my account, PROPECIA and all the herpes ones for rice cakes! They did leave diet pill and pain pill LOL


They really f**ked up this time. First they bought loser Yahoo, now this. I hope they go upside down in a hurry. With some of the highest prices cost per click ads in their entire inventory, they will rethink this real fast.Go Google!

[Anni]

yep every last one, even Vaniqa and Retin-A!!

[Shark Attack]

Just had another look - yep a few mispellings but not much else - All GONE !!

[redex]

Well, there goes affordable google listings. Might as well pause all my campaigns now. Just throwing away money. smileys/smiley19.gif

[Shark Attack]

Ever since this all kicked off a few weeks ago my return on PPC has gradually dropped . Majority of PPC on controlled stuff is on hold and seeing how well I can do on pure SEO

[Jaanis]

Well just logged into my Overture account and most of the controlled keywords have gone. They haven't just put them on hold , they have disapperared


Controlled, my ass. Every keyword I had withANY med name in it is gone from my account, PROPECIA and all the herpes ones for rice cakes! They did leave diet pill and pain pill LOL


They really f**ked up this time. First they bought loser Yahoo, now this. I hope they go upside down in a hurry. With some of the highest prices cost per click ads in their entire inventory, they will rethink this real fast.Go Google!





Actually Yahoo bought Overture, not the other way aroundhttp://www.rxaffiliateforum.com/smileys/smiley1.gif

[RxRob]

Overture cleaned me out completely. Good business to anyonewho was spared any keywords.





smileys/smiley11.gif

[ChesterCoperpot]

I havent touched Overture in months anyway. I dunno how u guys made money over there anymore with the lowballers bidding $10 a click smileys/smiley5.gif

[scottdaman]

I'm wondering that myself Coperpot. I don't make any of my money from PPCs. I know of many other sources that wouldgive mea better ROI. Yes, it costs more up front, but in the end, I make more up front too.


But hey, what do I know, since I haven't logged into overture in 5 months, it may have been possible to make nice money. smileys/smiley5.gif

[Star]

I;ve found about every advertising medium's ROI go to zero the last six months. All the ad companies got greedy and want all our money

[nvanprooyen]

This really really sucks.

[Jaanis]

Yes most of the general keywords were way over bid, but their were still some bargains if you looked hard enough.

[smokey]

Noticed diet pill has already doubled today was 5.00 or so now 10.00smileys/smiley6.gif


and whoever is paying 10.00 for weight loss is about to lose a bundle....smileys/smiley2.gif