How do I check whether an advertiser allows brand bidding?

Finding the policy in the platform

1. Log in to your Commission Factory account.
2. Navigate to Marketplace and select Advertisers.
3. Click the three-dot icon on the right-hand side of the advertiser's program.
4. Select View Advertiser to open the program details.
5. Click into the Join Program tab and review the program terms and conditions.
6. Look for a Paid Search or PPC section. This is where brand bidding rules will be listed.

If the policy is unclear or not stated, contact the advertiser directly before launching any campaigns. See the approval request guidance below.

What the policy will typically say

Policies generally fall into one of three categories:

• Brand bidding not allowed (most common): No bidding on brand names or variations. Brand terms cannot appear in ad copy, keywords, or display URLs.
• Limited or conditional permission: Brand bidding is allowed with specific restrictions, such as no direct linking, no use of the brand domain in the display URL, or position limits (e.g. your ad can't outrank the brand's own ads).
• Fully allowed (rare): Affiliates can bid on brand terms with minimal restrictions. This usually applies to closely managed partnerships.

Watch out for unintentional violations

Even without deliberately targeting brand terms, violations can still happen through:

• Broad or phrase match keywords that trigger branded searches
• "Brand + coupon" or "Brand + discount" keyword combinations
• Automatically generated search campaigns

Monitor your search term reports regularly to catch these before they become a compliance issue.

If you're not sure whether a specific term is allowed, don't proceed. Request written clarification from the advertiser first.