Early this year many webmasters noticed some changes and additional options in the Google AdSense setup. Google has started testing the waters with a cost per action model for their publishers through AdSense Referrals.

Google has been offering publishers the opportunity to earn revenue by referring Google products for some time. For example, publishers could promote AdSense, AdWords, Firefox, Google Checkout, Google Apps, and Google Pack. The Google Referral model did revolve around cost per action. If a referral downloaded software or signed up for a service, the publisher was paid a set amount.

AdSense Referrals takes the concept to a new level by giving publishers the opportunity to promote products and services offered through a wide variety of advertisers. Unlike traditional AdSense for content, the publisher can choose which advertiser’s product and service they wish to promote. Additionally, a publisher can get a better idea of their potential earnings since the Cost-per-Action for a specific advertiser is shown to them whereas with traditional AdSense for Content the Cost-Per-Click is unknown.

Below is an Example of what the referral display looks like:

The above ad was created using several different advertisers bundled into one ad. Google will rotate the ads and display the best performing ads to visitors.

Currently Google is offering a few thousand referral options across 247 categories. To learn more about Google Referrals visit: https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/topic.py?topic=1449