Network Dumps 88% of Its Publishers — Hydra Affiliate

Sizable affiliate network trims its ranks.

In a major shakeup in the affiliate network world, Hydra Network has dumped 88% of its affiliates, leaving it with fewer than 2,000 sizable publishers.

Back in my days of affiliate arbitrage through pay-per-click, I frequently earned more than $5,000 a month from Hydra. I basically stopped using it a year or two ago, as I became frustrated with the terms of each of its offers changing from day-to-day.

Hydra’s fresh, more stringent membership requirements call for affiliates that earn at least $10,000 a month with a good track record at a major affiliate network.

Apparently Hydra is trying to move upmarket and attract big name advertisers. This is a major shift, as described in its press release regarding the move:

“This move sets Hydra even further apart from the bulk of ad networks peddling nutraceutical diet remedies, cash grant opportunities, tooth whiteners and other non-branded campaigns of low consumer value.”

Many of Hydra’s previous offers have been for the very products it is now disowning. Its network of affiliates has also been responsible for a massive amount of unsolicited e-mail promoting the products, and many of its affiliate offers historically have been open to e-mail marketing only.

The CPA affiliate industry is going through somewhat of a shakeup thanks to FTC clampdowns on bogus claims as well as continuity offers and “free” offers that aren’t clear regarding future billing.