FAQs - the Answers
eMiniMalls
- What are eMiniMalls?
eMiniMalls are the industry's first and only intelligent and interactive product merchandising service. eMiniMalls present Web publishers with a feature rich service that offers online product merchandising, a dynamic recommendation engine and robust comparative shopping information in one solution. They are a way to supplement your existing ad revenue while providing a completely new revenue stream through interactive merchandising.
- How do eMiniMalls work?
In addition to the revenue opportunities generated from its comprehensive merchandising engine, eMiniMalls offers a more informative window shopping experience in which users can browse and learn about products that are dynamically targeted to the content of the site and their interests in particular-all without having to leave the site.
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- Targeted product merchandising: Brings products related to site content to the visitor
- Product promotion: Promotes targeted products, not merchants, to the visitor
- Product reviews: Feeds into the consumer demand for more informed buying decisions
- Intelligent product recommendations: Extremely targeted based on related site content
- A comparative shopping experience: Visitors click when they know the Price is Right.
- Content and behavior-based feedback loop: Intelligently learns what products are working best for a particular website.
- How do I implement eMiniMalls?
Simply insert a few simple lines of javascript code into your web page and you are done.
- What formats do eMiniMalls offer?
eMiniMalls offer a selection of standard ad formats for you to use on your site (See Examples). Many more formats are on their way. Please send email to info@chitika.com if you have specific requirements.
- Can I set my own keywords and products instead of contextually targeting products?
Yes. You can do so by specifying it in ch_query javascript param. For example, to target the "canon powershot" camera you would add this line to the javascript code:
ch_query = "canon powershot";
Checkout this blog post for more information on this topic. - What are the Terms & Conditions for eMiniMalls?
For the latest eMiniMalls terms and conditions, please visit here.
- How do I apply for eMiniMalls?
Apply using our online application form.
- Can I use eMiniMalls with Google Adsense?
Chitika cannot speak on Google's behalf. However, some of our clients who have contacted Google have been informed that it is ok to use eMiniMalls with Google Adsense when used in non-contextual mode (1, 2). By default, the eMiniMalls code is set to be non-contextual.
eMiniMalls service has no exclusivity conditions. You can choose to use eMiniMalls with any other ad service. If you are concerned about Google AdSense exclusivities, then please note that our eMiniMalls are not text ads and they don't even look like contextual text ads. We display products and best offers for those products from various merchants.
- How do I pass a query for targeting?
To pass a single query, add it to the ch_query field:
ch_query = 'query';
For example:
ch_query = 'Nikon Coolpix 8700'; - How do I pass multiple queries/keywords?
Add the following lines of code and replace the values in the "var_ch_queries" array:
ch_non_contextual = 1;
var ch_queries = new Array('laptop', 'ipod');
var ch_selected=Math.floor((Math.random()*ch_queries.length));
ch_query = ch_queries[ch_selected];
Please note: Replace the list of queries above with a meaningful set of products or queries for your type of audience. Instead of generic keywords like "oil" and "science", try and use product names that you think might make sense for your site and audience. For example, if you have a site about electronic gadgets, use code like this:
ch_non_contextual = 1;
var ch_queries = new Array("digital cameras", "ipod mini", "sony playstation", "dell laptop");
var ch_selected=Math.floor((Math.random()*ch_queries.length));
ch_query = ch_queries[ch_selected];
- How can I find the right keywords/products that are best for my site?
Visit Amazon.com and Shopping.com and look at the best selling products in the relevant categories. Then copy the entire product name and test it out using the search tab on the unit on http://chitika.com/ (By using chitika.com you are not inflating your own stats). If it works, add it to the list of queries in ch_queries in your code
- Can I get SID level/channel stats breakdown?
Yes. By adding ch_sid = 'XXXX';
to the code you will be able to track performance by channel.
Replace XXXX with a meaningful channel name of your choice. You get to define your own meaningful channel names. Reporting by SID will be available shortly - I have been approved for one website, but I also own other sites. Can I use the service on other sites as well?
Once you are approved, you can add the code to any of your sites, as long as each website meets the T&C's (no gambling, adult content, etc.)
- I'm using eMiniMalls on my blog and want to optimize the targeting - What should I do?
One trick is to pass in the title of the post in the ch_query field. It's performing beautifully on our product/gadget publishers
- Is there an easy way to implement eMiniMalls in my blog post?
Check out the plugin for WordPress that was created by x74.org - it works great.
- How do I access the Chitika Blog?
Check out the latest at http://www.chitika.com/blog
- Does CTR affect EPC like it does over at Google Adsense? In other words, if I have poorly performing eMiniMalls on some pages, does that bring down the earnings per click I might earn on my better performing pages?
No. Not at this time.
- How do I add more sites to my account?
As long as your other sites meet our program policies (See exhibit A in our T&C's) there is no need to activate additional accounts or to notify us. Add the code to your page source, and we'll automatically detect the new site and display relevant product listings.
Publisher Referral Program
- How does Chitika's Publisher Referral Program work?
When the publisher you refer applies for eMiniMalls through your referral link, is approved, and then displays Chitika's eMiniMalls on their website, you are eligible to receive Publisher referral commissions. You will earn 10% of the CPC revenue that your referrals earns for up to 12 months from their approval date.
- Can I refer publishers to your BlogContext or RealContext Services?
At this time, BlogContext and RealContext are not a part of Chitika's referral program.
- How do I refer someone?
Please login to your account and click on the "Referral Program" button. From there you will see an overview of the program and have access to the link that your referral should use to apply for eMiniMalls. Email this link to your friends and we'll take care of it from there - It's that easy!
- When do I get paid?
You will be paid 30 days after the end of the month that your referral generated clicks, provided that the total referrals amount is over $10 (for PayPal) or $50 (where PayPal is not available.)
- Who can I refer to Chitika?
You may refer any publisher from your website, who does not already have a Chitika account. Please keep in mind; all referrals (new applicants) are subject to approval before they can begin displaying Chitika's eMiniMalls.
For more information on approvals, please review our Terms and Conditions. - Is there a limit to the number of Publisher Referral Bonuses I can earn?
No, there are no restrictions on the number of Publisher Referral Bonuses you can earn. The more you refer, the more money you make!
- I referred a publisher, but don't see them listed in the reports and haven't received any commissions yet. Why?
There are a few reasons why you may not have received your bonus:
- Your referral applicant may not have been accepted into our program
- Your total balance for your referrals has not reached a total of $10 (PayPal) or $50 (check)
- The account for the website that you referred has been suspended
If you have any questions on any specific referrals, please email support@chitika.com and we will get back to you with more information. - If I refer a publisher, how long do I get to receive bonuses?
You are eligible to receive Publisher Referral Bonus payouts for the first 12 months of the referred publisher's account based upon the date that they were approved for eMiniMalls.
- How do I see how much my referral commissions will be?
Login to the Chitika reporting system at: https://chitika.com/affiliate/ and you will see a link for "Reports". Click on that and you will see your referral reports included in the links at the top of the page.
- What is "Unaudited" referral revenue versus "Audited"? How does it affect my payments?
Every month Chitika audits the clicks that we receive from all of our publishers sites. In the audit process we remove any invalid clicks such as: repeated clicks from the same ip. This is done to protect our advertisers from fraudulent clicks.
You are paid commissions based upon your referrals' "Audited" revenue. - Why can't I see my commission revenue for each of my referrals?
For privacy reasons, Chitika only shows the aggregate commissions of all of your referrals.
- Would my referrals earn more money if they apply for eMiniMalls on their own?
No, your referral will earn the same amount. In appreciation for sending us leads, Chitika is sharing its' revenue with you. We appreciate your efforts!
- How do I get paid for my referrals?
Your referral revenue will be included with your regular monthly earnings.
- I live in a country where PayPal is not available, how do I get paid?
We can also pay by check (when balance crosses $50) if you don't have a PayPal account or choose not to. Please login to your account, click on "Edit Your Information" and select your payment option.
- I don't currently have a Chitika account, may I still refer someone?
Most likely. If you do not have an account, please email us at support@chitika.com with your specific requests.
- How are referrals tracked?
Chitika tracks referrals based upon cookies that remain active for 10 days after the publisher clicks on your referral link.
General
- What is "Chitika" and what does it mean to me?
Chitika delivers contextual services for you - in a snap! In fact, Chitika means "in a snap" in the South Indian language Telugu. We provide services that that are innovative, easy and free to implement and generate revenue from your visitor's clicks.
Chitika launched eMiniMalls, the industry's first on-line, interactive merchandising kiosk, designed to inform, aggregate and display the most critical product information and relevant brands to browsing customers in a unobtrusive, helpful and relevant way. It brings comparison shopping to your users without leaving your site. Take it out for a spin - you'll like what you see. - What's the cost?
No cost! No setup or hosting fees. Our eMiniMalls program is a on-demand service and we'll pay you a revenue share based upon your users' clicks. There's no risk to you - Get started today and start earning $$$.
- How do I earn money?
It's easy! Since Chitika's services are on-demand services, as soon as you implement one of them on your web pages and your users start clicking, you start earning revenue.
Chitika will pay you 60% of Chitika's revenue. - How do I get paid?
Chitika will make payments via PayPal and check. Payments are made in US Dollars. Please login to your account, click on "Edit Your Information" and select your payment option.
- When do I get paid?
Payments are sent around the start of every month. You will receive your payments approximately 30 days after the end of the month in which your account's total generated revenue exceeds $10 (for Paypal) or $50 (for checks).
- Can I use the same account for multiple websites?
Yes (as long as all websites meet the terms and conditions).
- How do I access my reports?
When you sign up for Chitika's services we will send you a link and secure login information to access your real-time reports online. You can also login into your account from the http://www.chitika.com homepage.
- Can I change my password?
Yes. Login to your reporting account and click on "My Account" and then "Edit Your Information" and enter your new password. At this time, Usernames can not be changed.
- Can I filter adult ads from appearing on my website?
Adult ads are filtered automatically.
- Are non-English websites eligible?
Not at this time.
- I did not receive a confirmation email from you, what should I do?
If you did not receive an email confirmation as a part of the signup process, please send an email to support@chitika.com and our Customer Service team will check for your application.
