“In response to the changing business climate, we have modified our model to accommodate the needs of the affiliate marketplace,” said Hank Freeman, founder and CEO of SexKey. “In keeping with the philosophy of SexKey as a tool for enabling only adults to access adult-oriented content, all banners, landing pages and join scripts are non-nude and 2257 exempt.”
The upgrade to the SexKey affiliate program includes new join scripts, new 2257-exempt non-nude banners and landing pages, niche-specific ads and landing pages, and additional credit card processing options.
“Affiliates can also now select from CC Bill and Epoch for their credit card processing option through the affiliate interface on a per site ID basis,” the company stated in its release. “This option enables affiliates to evaluate processing options, examine conversions and optimize their traffic based on what works best for their particular type of traffic.”
SexKey also has released new versions of its join scripts, which include non-nude images that rotate with each page load, a method designed to keep join-page content fresh for repeat visitors to affiliate sites.
SexKey Vice President of Marketing Adam Winters told XBIZ that the changes to the company’s affiliate program model were designed to “expand the reach of the program.” Winters added that despite what many in the industry appear to believe, the market that used to be referred to as “AVS” (Adult Verification System) still is a viable and profitable sector.
“We got sick and tired of reading on the boards that ‘AVS is dead,’” Winters said. “AVS is not dead.”
Asked if there is less competition in the AVS market than there used to be, Winters said “yes and no.”
“There are fewer programs out there, but among the networks that are still around, the competition is much more fierce than it used to be,” Winters said. “The changes to our affiliate program are about trying something different and modernizing our approach.”
For affiliates submitting content pages to SexKey, the existing site review process remains in place, and affiliates will receive a response to their submissions within 24 hours, the company said.