Commission Junction has launched a Web Service to allow Publishers’ real-time access to their Product Catalog database, as well as, to search for links. Prior to this, only LinkShare offered a Link Locator Direct web service that allows Link Searching functionality (no Product Catalog access). I think the CJ API is a huge step for an affiliate network, and have often wondered why it has taken this long. To get you started they provide some example code in Flash and PHP, but not .NET. Below is a list of the current features just released:

• Product Catalog Access – This API offers real-time access to the Product Catalog database. Using it, you can find a product or group of products to display on your site since the API enables keyword searches as well as item specific searches by UPC, manufacturer, model number, advertiser, SKU and more.

• Link Search Functionality – Publishers can use this API to search for links through a SOAP interface using a set of parameters to return link results that include information like their relationship status and link code that can be used to capture publisher referrals. In addition, you can find the perfect link for display on your site using search options that are very similar to those available via the CJ Account Manager™, including searching by link type and size, advertiser, language and other link attributes.

• Advertiser Search Functionality – This API allows publishers to search for advertisers through a SOAP interface using a set of parameters to return advertiser results that include information such as their relationship status and program terms with the advertiser.


Here is an example of what can be made using flash with the Product Catalog Access:

I just signed up for a developer key. I’ll post more once I toyed with the service.
[tags]CJ, Commission Junction, API, Web Service, Web Services, CJ Web Services, Affiliate Marketing[/tags]