I guess Ebay got tired of their affiliates trying to get a jump on new Ebay niches like Dead Steve Irwin. Just trying to step on a few innovative spammers toes. After all, everyone I know needs another dead body in their house.
Or maybe this has something to do with the new StumbleUpon acquisition. Who knows? But I am pretty sure there is a lot of affiliates scrambling for ideas right now similar to the time the government cracked down on internet gambling and the affiliates of those programs.
I would think that Ebay would update their terms on their CJ terms and conditions page which still mentions rules for using Adwords and the like or maybe their affiliate program is just a basement operation that they don’t really give a crap about. Or maybe they don’t like telling new affiliates that this is now the case.
I got the email two days ago. Great. Two days notice. This is unacceptable. I have never used PPC to promote Ebay, but I may never deal with the Ebay affiliate program after seeing the consideration they give affiliates, who I am sure bring them boatloads of cash.