Many affiliates felt the old Display Rate and Success Rate concept complicated things and were intimidated by it. Because of this, Tissa has waived the old system to let all of the affiliates enjoy a 100% display rate from their People Search engine affiliate links, which includes AdSense, ClickBank, MyLife and HD. Furthermore, it is mandatory to subscribe to Step 3 for at least 45 consecutive days for an A.P.S. referral commission payout, which must exceed $200.

“Userfriendly” not just a word?

Whether the new system with a 100% display rate and free hosting for the People Search engine makes ACME People Search easier to grasp for new affiliates, is still debated. With numerous details still not in place and the back office resembling an ongoing experiment, in its current state ACME People Search is hardly the most userfriendly experience. Admittedly, the back office is easier to navigate now, with referral earnings showing and important links easily accessible.

Tissa’s statement, posted in the A.P.S. Support forum on January 30, 2010:

• The “Display Rate” concept for the free People Search engine will be waived and referrals given access to their own People Search page with a 100% display rate for ClickBank, HD, MyLife and AdSense on Step 1, which is “free forever”. This to avoid further confusion on what’s included with each step.
• Step 3 subscription is now required in order to receive GDI sign-ups, otherwise they go in Tissa’s GDI downline. Previously, Step 1 & 2 were needed for this, but with most referrals cancelling Step 3 within long, it was hurting everybody’s success rate.

Step 1 Free with 100% Display Rate

Step 1 has always been free, with a limited Display Rate. When activating Step 1, new affiliates get their own free People Search engine with a 100% display rate for ClickBank, AdSense, MyLife, HD and US Search Social Network Search. They can stay at Step 1 and earn money off of the affiliate links, or upgrade to Step 2/3 and gain additional income streams and other perks.

Included with Step 1:

• Free hosting for People Search engine, affiliate links for:
• ClickBank
• HD Publishing
• AdSense
• MyLife
• US Search-Social Network Search
  

Included with Step 2:

• Brand your search engine using GDI, Host Gator or GVO web hosting, customize and add your People Search engine in your own blog or website, use it to provide free people searches or let your visitors put in their e-mail address to register in your downline.

Included with Step 3:

• Additional income streams from GDI, Host Gator, GVO, and referral commissions; you become eligible for commission payouts from Tissa Godavitarne, and you can also become a Super Sponsor by helping other users in the support forum.
• Access to the GDI “Secret” Sign-up Sauce Ingredients (basically a Forced Matrix)
• The “Super Affiliate” switch offered as a free bonus

The Step 3 requirement was added to balance out the generous offer for Step 1 affiliates. GDI usually is the main reason for joining A.P.S., and it is too early to tell how the current updates will affect it. The added incentives for subscribing to Step 3 could help with building a retentive Step 3 list, at least in theory.

A GDI membership is $10 per month and comes with (very) basic web hosting features, your own .ws domain name and its own MLM affiliate program. Works well in combination with ACME People Search, if the affiliate knows how to earn money online in the first place.

In conclusion

ACME People Search is not as userfriendly as it could be, and it has a way to go before I would call it that. The 100% display rate for the People Search engine in Step 1 makes ACME People Search available to everyone with Internet access, and they can’t afford Step 2 and 3, or they just want to earn money by means of affiliate links in their free People Search engine, they are free to do so.

As for Step 2 and 3, no-one knows how many Step 1 affiliates will jump in the pool for their share of the fun rather than waiting around for the water to heat up. These are pretty significant changes, and only the future can tell what comes out of it. With a supportive community, a hard working team and new revenue streams added, ACME People Search looks pretty safe for now, at least.

So, what’s the bad news, you might wonder? In order to still be eligible for referral commission payout, and now, to receive any sign-ups in their GDI downline via ACME People Search, it has become mandatory for A.P.S. affiliates to subscribe to Step #3 via PayPal.

I’ll repeat that: ACME People Search affiliates must now subscribe to Step #3 ($29,95 per month) via PayPal, or their GDI referral sign-ups will be passed on to their upline sponsor.

Other A.P.S. affiliates report their success rate for Step #3 is dwindling, and it looks like the program is losing affiliates every time Tissa decides to add a new rule that makes it even less affordable for new users.

I am not sure what to think of this; ACME People Searched used to be an excellent income opportunity in 2008 and at least the first half of 2009, and I used it for building my GDI downline. But now the question is rather, whether to stay with either. I am currently building new websites to monetize in other ways, and it is so much easier than having to constantly keep up with Tissa’s latest additions to the t.o.s., and his community.

I welcome any comments on this, and I would appreciate your angle on it because, right now I feel totally lost when it comes to these two companies. GDI was first and Tissa decided to piggyback on their success with his own ACME People Search, with heavy emphasis on GDI. Maybe GDI isn’t good enough for Tissa any more?

Effective from November 19 2009, in order to get paid referral commissions, all A.P.S. affiliates must subscribe to Step 3 for at least 45 days before they are eligible for a payout. This in addition to the first steps, meaning a total monthly cost running at minimum $39.95. More if you choose to subscribe to GVO and/or Wealthy Affiliate as well.

Also, the commission system for Step 1 through Step 3 has changed:

You now earn $1 when a referral completes Step 1, $2 for Step 2 and $3 for Step 3. These amounts no longer depend on each step’s success rate, something that aggravated affiliates before. Additionally, a %15+ success rate in Step 3 adds a $32 bonus, although this is 100% voluntary.

“I am poor, how am I supposed to earn anything with ACME People Search now?”

• Register in the Support forum after registering as an ACME People Search affiliate.
• Read and learn, start posting helpful answers in the forum on a daily basis (important!).
• Subscribe with Step 3 via PayPal (the first month is free).
• Continue subscribing with Step 3 via PayPal until you have become a Super Sponsor.
• Alternatively, wait with Step 3 and promote A.P.S. with only Step 1 and 2 activated.

You need a plan for how you are going to promote ACME People Search. Many prefer Google Adwords. I was recently banned for life from their program when promoting ACME People Search with it (I am not bitter, just frustrated at how Google treats their paying customers), but there are many other PPC companies around, most being more affordable than Adwords. Also look into utilizing SEO for articles, blog posting, e.t.c.

“Okay… but, I think ACME People Search is not for me after all… what about GDI?”

If money is an issue, I recommend GDI (Global Domains International) at $10/mo. With 10 active referrals your membership fee is covered and you’ll profit from there. GDI pays on time, offers a $100 bonus for every 5 active referrals recruited by you in a week and they have been around since 1999. GDI’s requirement for the bonuses is that you purchase one of their 10-packs with promo DVDs. This is a one time purchase and each DVD comes with your personal GDI affiliate code, for giving away to friends, family, colleagues, e.t.c.

The first week of your GDI membership is free of cost, then you will be charged $10 for the first month and onward. If you are (still) worrying about the money, I help my referrals by showing them ways to easily earn enough money to cover the membership fee until they have enough active referrals to make it sustain itself. It is important to get past that point, because it means one thing less to worry about and gives you peace to try out different free and affordable ways to promote the program.

Also: I am not promising you anything, but if you show a genuine interest in succeeding with GDI, I’ll move new sign-ups under you to help you build your own downline. I believe in paying it forward, and I always ask my referrals to help their own downlines. This way, everybody wins!

Click here to find out more about GDI

Click here to learn more about ACME People Search

In conclusion:
This most recent change in the ACME People Search policy means more effort and money required in order to earn money with it. Tissa Godavitarne has confirmed additional changes in their policy is coming. I don’t know the details, but I will post and update whenever.