If you you’ve signed up for the Apple Affiliate Program, you may have learned that Apple is leaving the Linkshare affiliate network with plans to replace it with "Performance Horizon Group (PHG). Unknown to us, Apple also had another affiliate solution with third party DGM Networks, but Apple is also abandoning this for PHG as well. The loss of Apple on Linkshare may be a shock; but remember that Linkshare remains an invaluable affiliate network, supporting software publishers since Microsoft remains a premier client. Linkshare will continue to be supported in the PAD Specification.

Apple is advising existing affiliates migrating to the new network so they can maintain earning existing commissions, while replacing their Linkshare and DGM links before October 1st, 2013. It is almost certain that PHG will be under evaluation for official addition to the PAD Specification by this date.

Apple is claiming three main benefits to PHG over existing terms with it’s affiliates. First, the standard commission will be increased from 5% to 7%. Second, affiliates will earn commissions on purchases within a 24 hours period. (We didn’t know that commissions were only earned when they occurred in real time). Third, improved global affiliate tracking support will allow commissions from purchases from Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Japan and more. The Apple iTunes affiliate signup to the PHG Program for existing affiliates is available here: https://affiliate.itunes.apple.com/apply

The Apple Itunes affiliate signup to the PHG Program for existing affiliates is available here: https://affiliate.itunes.apple.com/apply