Clickbank bans my book, Amazon Autopilot

Affiliate platform and ebook megaseller Clickbank today informed me they would not allow my new ebook, Amazon Autopilot, to be sold on their platform. That is, unless I removed at least 15 pages.

At issue were passages in which I explore tactics for increasing profits with Amazon and FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) that may be in violation of some of Amazon‘s policies. I’m not talking about legitimately offensive activity either. I’m talking about some seriously benign practices like listing unread but pre-owned books as “New” (come on, who doesn’t…).

Here is their email to me, received today:

ClickBank does not permit any content that may violate another company’s terms or service or any content that may be considered “black hat”. All chapters and sections that discuss these black hat techniques must be removed for approval. This includes the content in chapter 12 that starts on page 144 and chapter 15 starting on page 161.

And my response:

Your attempt to manipulate the content of Amazon Autopilot is absurd. This is exactly the reason content producers are leaving Clickbank in droves. I’m laughing all the way to Paydotcom.

…followed by me deleting my account.

Dear Clickbank: Your feeble attempt to influence my writing just cost you some business. My prediction: Your reputation for this kind of hubris will be your slow demise.

– Peter Valley